the triskelion. ps. happy April fools day

I was scratching my head wondering why I wasn’t quite settled with my Jan 30, 2012 entry about the 45′ spindle adapter? I had heard a CBC radio program on Q about them a year ago and had intentioned at that time to research it further. I had a look again this week and found this: it’s also called a TRISKELION! Do you know what that is?

(wiki): A triskelion or triskele is a motif consisting of three interlocked spirals, or three bent human legs, or any similar symbol with three protrusions and a threefoldrotational symmetry.Both words are from Greek “τρισκέλιον” (triskelion) or “τρισκελής” (triskeles), “three-legged”, from prefix “τρι-” (tri-), “three times”+ “σκέλος” (skelos), “leg”. Although it appears in many places and periods, it is especially characteristic of the Celtic art of the La Tène culture of theEuropean Iron Age. A triskelion is the symbol of Sicily, where it is called trinacria, as well as of the Isle of Man. The triskelion symbol appears in many early cultures, including west’s earliest known first astronomical calendar in Ireland at the famous megalithic tomb of Newgrangebuilt around 3200 BCE, Mycenaean vessels, on coinage in Lycia, and on staters of Pamphylia (at Aspendos, 370–333 BC) and Pisidia. It appears as a heraldic emblem on warriors’ shields depicted on Greek pottery.

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Familiar as an ancient symbol of Sicily, the symbol dates back to when Sicily was part of Magna Graecia, the colonial extension of Greece beyond the Aegean. Pliny the Elder attributes the origin of the triskelion of Sicily to the triangular form of the island, the ancient Trinacria (from the Greek tri- (three) and akra (end, limb)), which consists of three large capes equidistant from each other, pointing in their respective directions, the names of which were Pelorus, Pachynus, andLilybæum. The Celtic symbol of three conjoined spirals may have had triple significance similar to the imagery that lies behind the triskelion. The triple spiral motif is a Neolithicsymbol in Western Europe. It is considered a Celtic symbol but is in fact a pre-Celtic symbol. It is carved into the rock of a stone lozenge near the main entrance of the prehistoric Newgrange monument in County Meath, Ireland. Newgrange which was built around 3200 BCE predating the Celtic arrival in Ireland but has long since been incorporated into Celtic culture.

A triskelion shape was used in the design of RCA’s “Spider” 45 rpm adapter, a popular plastic adapter for vinyl records, which allows larger center-holed 45 rpm records (commonly used on 7″ singles and EPs) to spin on players designed for smaller center-holed 33-1/3 rpm records (the standard for 10″ and 12″ LPs). The iconic design of the Spider has led to its adoption as a popular symbol for record and music enthusiasts.

About fireygoddess

Fireygoddess is an Island Princess / mermaid ~ living on Vancouver Island in Beautiful British Columbia Canada. She loves cropping photos, her main squeeze / the scuba dude, throwing laundry down the stairs, upcycling, shiny things, sparkles, fluevog shoes and making art from found objects at the beach.